A photodiode architecture comprises first, second, and third independent photodiodes, and a shared electrode. The first, second, and third photodiodes are each connected to respective sources of bias voltage and to a common shared electrode, whereby the photodiode architecture comprises at least one of a shared anode and shared cathode photodiode architecture. The photodiode architecture selectively reverse biases the first, second, and third photodiodes so that, during operation, at least one of the first, second and third photodiodes is always operating in a photoconducting mode, to enable capture and storage of charge from any photodiode in the architecture operating in photoconducting mode. Advantageously, the first photodiode can be configured to respond to a first wavelength of light and at least one of the second and third photodiodes can be configured to be responsive to a respective second or third wavelength of light shorter than the first wavelength of light.
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1. A photodiode architecture, comprising: a first photodiode comprising first and second electrodes, the first electrode being coupled to a shared electrode; a second photodiode operably connected in series with the first photodiode, the second photodiode being independent of the first photodiode, comprising third and fourth electrodes, the third electrode being coupled to the shared electrode; and a third photodiode operably connected in series with the first photodiode, the third photodiode being independent of the first photodiode and comprising fifth and sixth electrodes, and the fifth electrode being coupled to the shared electrode; wherein the shared electrode is in operable communication with the first electrode, third electrode, and fifth electrode; wherein the shared electrode is configured to operate, respectively, as either a shared anode or a shared cathode for the respective first, second, and third photodiodes, wherein the photodiode architecture comprises at least one of a shared anode photodiode architecture and a shared cathode photodiode architecture; and wherein the first photodiode, second photodiode, third photodiode and shared electrode are constructed and arranged to selectively reverse bias the first, second, and third photodiodes so that, during operation, at least one of the first, second and third photodiodes is operating in a photoconducting mode, to enable capture and storage of charge from any photodiode in the photodiode architecture that is operating in photoconducting mode.
A photodiode architecture consists of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode. Each photodiode has two electrodes, with one electrode of each being connected to the shared electrode. The shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or a shared cathode. The photodiodes and the shared electrode are designed to selectively reverse bias the photodiodes. This ensures that at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation, enabling capture and storage of charge from any photodiode operating in that mode.
2. A photodiode architecture, comprising: a first photodiode comprising first and second electrodes, the first electrode being operably coupled to a shared electrode; a second photodiode operably connected in series with the first, photodiode, the second photodiode being independent of the first photodiode, comprising third and fourth electrodes, the third electrode being operably coupled to the shared electrode; and a third photodiode operably connected in series with the first photodiode, the third photodiode being independent of the first photodiode and comprising fifth and sixth electrodes, and the fifth electrode being coupled to the shared electrode; wherein the shared electrode is configured to operate as either a shared anode or a shared cathode for the respective first, second, and third photodiodes; and wherein the first photodiode, second photodiode, third photodiode and shared electrode are constructed and arranged so that, during operation, at least one of the first, second and third photodiodes is always operating in a photoconducting mode.
A photodiode architecture consists of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode. Each photodiode has two electrodes, with one electrode of each being coupled to the shared electrode. The shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or a shared cathode. The photodiodes and the shared electrode are designed such that at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation.
3. The photodiode architecture of claim 2 , wherein the photodiode architecture is configured as part of a back-side illumination device.
The photodiode architecture consisting of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, where each photodiode has two electrodes with one electrode coupled to the shared electrode, where the shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged so at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation, is configured as part of a back-side illumination device.
4. The photodiode architecture of claim 2 , wherein the first photodiode is configured to respond to a first wavelength of light and at least one of the second and third photodiodes is configured to be responsive to a respective second or third wavelength of light that is shorter than the first wavelength of light.
The photodiode architecture consisting of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, where each photodiode has two electrodes with one electrode coupled to the shared electrode, where the shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged so at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation, is designed such that the first photodiode responds to a first wavelength of light, while at least one of the second or third photodiodes responds to a shorter wavelength.
5. The photodiode architecture of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first, second, and third photodiodes is configured to be responsive to non-visible light and at least one of the first, second and third photodiodes is configured to be responsive to visible light.
The photodiode architecture consisting of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, where each photodiode has two electrodes with one electrode coupled to the shared electrode, where the shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged so at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation, is designed such that at least one photodiode responds to non-visible light, and at least one responds to visible light.
6. The photodiode architecture of claim 2 , wherein the second and third photodiodes are each constructed and arranged to be responsive to a respective one of visible red light, visible green light, visible blue light, and visible panchromatic light.
The photodiode architecture consisting of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, where each photodiode has two electrodes with one electrode coupled to the shared electrode, where the shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged so at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation, is designed such that the second and third photodiodes are each responsive to either visible red, green, blue, or panchromatic light.
7. The photodiode architecture of claim 2 , wherein the first photodiode is constructed and arranged to be responsive to any one of infrared light, near infrared (NIR) light, short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) light, long wavelength infrared (LWIR) light, ultraviolet (UV) light, radio wave light, x-ray wave light, and gamma ray light.
The photodiode architecture consisting of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, where each photodiode has two electrodes with one electrode coupled to the shared electrode, where the shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged so at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation, is designed such that the first photodiode responds to infrared, near-infrared (NIR), short-wavelength infrared (SWIR), long-wavelength infrared (LWIR), ultraviolet (UV), radio wave, x-ray, or gamma ray light.
8. The photodiode architecture of claim 2 , wherein any two of the first, second, and third photodiodes are responsive to the same type of light.
The photodiode architecture consisting of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, where each photodiode has two electrodes with one electrode coupled to the shared electrode, where the shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged so at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation, is designed such that any two of the photodiodes respond to the same type of light.
9. The photodiode architecture of claim 2 , further comprising a color filter array (CFA) configured to be in operable communication with the first, second, and third photodiodes.
The photodiode architecture consisting of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, where each photodiode has two electrodes with one electrode coupled to the shared electrode, where the shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged so at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation, further includes a color filter array (CFA) that is in operable communication with the photodiodes.
10. The photodiode architecture of claim 2 , wherein the first, second, and third photodiodes are arranged in a stacked configuration.
The photodiode architecture consisting of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, where each photodiode has two electrodes with one electrode coupled to the shared electrode, where the shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged so at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation, is designed such that the photodiodes are arranged in a stacked configuration.
11. The photodiode architecture of claim 2 , wherein the photodiode architecture is implemented as part of at least one of an image capture device and an image fusion system.
The photodiode architecture consisting of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, where each photodiode has two electrodes with one electrode coupled to the shared electrode, where the shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged so at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation, is implemented as part of an image capture device or an image fusion system.
12. The photodiode architecture of claim 2 , wherein the photodiode architecture is configured as part of a front-side-illumination device.
The photodiode architecture consisting of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, where each photodiode has two electrodes with one electrode coupled to the shared electrode, where the shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged so at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation, is configured as part of a front-side-illumination device.
13. The photodiode architecture of claim 2 , wherein, during operation of the photodiode architecture, the shared electrode is configured to selectively reverse bias at least one of the first, second, and third photodiodes.
The photodiode architecture consisting of three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, where each photodiode has two electrodes with one electrode coupled to the shared electrode, where the shared electrode functions as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged so at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode during operation, is designed such that during operation, the shared electrode selectively reverse biases at least one of the photodiodes.
14. A method for capturing an image, the method comprising: providing a first photodiode having first and second electrodes; coupling the first electrode to a shared elect ode; operably connecting a second photodiode in series with the first photodiode, the second photodiode being independent of the first photodiode and having third and fourth electrodes and the third electrode being coupled to the shared electrode; operably connecting a third photodiode in series with the first photodiode, the third photodiode being independent of the first photodiode and comprising fifth and sixth electrodes, the fifth electrode being coupled to the shared electrode, wherein the shared electrode is in operable communication with the first, third, and fifth electrodes; configuring the first photodiode to respond to a first wavelength of light and at least one of the second, and third photodiodes to be responsive to a respective second or third wavelength of light that is shorter than the first wavelength of light; configuring an electrode node that is in operable communication with the first electrode and the third electrode to be a shared electrode that is configured to operate, respectively, as either a shared anode or a shared cathode for the first, second, and third photodiodes, respectively, wherein the photodiode architecture comprises at least one of a shared anode photodiode architecture and a shared cathode photodiode architecture, wherein the shared electrode node is configured to operate, respectively, as either a shared anode node or a shared cathode node; and constructing and arranging the first photodiode, second photodiode, third photodiode, and shared electrode so that, during operation, at least one of the first, second, and third photodiodes is always operating in a photoconducting mode, to enable capture and storage of charge from any photodiode in the photodiode architecture that is operating photoconducting mode.
A method for capturing an image using three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, including coupling one electrode of each photodiode to a shared electrode. The method involves configuring the first photodiode to respond to a first wavelength, and at least one of the second and third photodiodes to respond to a shorter wavelength. The shared electrode operates as either a shared anode or cathode. The photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged to ensure at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode, allowing capture and storage of charge from photodiodes operating in that mode.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising configuring at least one of the first, second, and third photodiodes to be responsive to nonvisible light and at least one of the first, second and third photodiodes to be responsive to visible light.
The method for capturing an image using three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, including coupling one electrode of each photodiode to a shared electrode, configuring the first photodiode to respond to a first wavelength, and at least one of the second and third photodiodes to respond to a shorter wavelength, where the shared electrode operates as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged to ensure at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode, further includes configuring at least one photodiode to respond to non-visible light and at least one to respond to visible light.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising constructing and arranging the second and third photodiodes to be responsive to a respective one of visible red light, visible green light, visible blue light, and visible panchromatic light.
The method for capturing an image using three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, including coupling one electrode of each photodiode to a shared electrode, configuring the first photodiode to respond to a first wavelength, and at least one of the second and third photodiodes to respond to a shorter wavelength, where the shared electrode operates as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged to ensure at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode, further involves constructing and arranging the second and third photodiodes to be responsive to either visible red, green, blue, or panchromatic light.
17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising constructing and arranging the first photodiode to be responsive to any one of infrared light, near infrared (NIR) light, short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) light, long wavelength infrared (LWIR) light, ultraviolet (UV) light, radio wave light, x-ray wave light, and gamma ray light.
The method for capturing an image using three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, including coupling one electrode of each photodiode to a shared electrode, configuring the first photodiode to respond to a first wavelength, and at least one of the second and third photodiodes to respond to a shorter wavelength, where the shared electrode operates as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged to ensure at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode, further comprises constructing and arranging the first photodiode to respond to infrared, near-infrared (NIR), short-wavelength infrared (SWIR), long-wavelength infrared (LWIR), ultraviolet (UV), radio wave, x-ray, or gamma ray light.
18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising configuring a color filter array (CFA) to be in operable communication with the first, second, and third photodiodes.
The method for capturing an image using three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, including coupling one electrode of each photodiode to a shared electrode, configuring the first photodiode to respond to a first wavelength, and at least one of the second and third photodiodes to respond to a shorter wavelength, where the shared electrode operates as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged to ensure at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode, further involves configuring a color filter array (CFA) to be in operable communication with the photodiodes.
19. The method of claim 14 , further comprising configuring a photodiode architecture formed at least by the first, second, and third photodiodes and the shared electrode, to be part of at least one of a front-side-illumination device and a back side illumination device.
The method for capturing an image using three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, including coupling one electrode of each photodiode to a shared electrode, configuring the first photodiode to respond to a first wavelength, and at least one of the second and third photodiodes to respond to a shorter wavelength, where the shared electrode operates as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged to ensure at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode, includes configuring a photodiode architecture formed by the photodiodes and shared electrode to be part of a front-side or back-side illumination device.
20. The method of claim 14 , further comprising selectively reverse biasing at least one of the first, second, and third photodiodes to ensure that, during operation, at least one of the first, second, and third photodiodes is operating in a photoconducting mode.
The method for capturing an image using three independent photodiodes (first, second, and third) connected in series sharing a common electrode, including coupling one electrode of each photodiode to a shared electrode, configuring the first photodiode to respond to a first wavelength, and at least one of the second and third photodiodes to respond to a shorter wavelength, where the shared electrode operates as either a shared anode or cathode, and where the photodiodes and shared electrode are arranged to ensure at least one photodiode is always in photoconducting mode, further involves selectively reverse biasing at least one photodiode to ensure at least one is operating in photoconducting mode during operation.
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November 12, 2014
March 14, 2017
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